BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

Comments

I called a local dealership about getting my car programmed so that the lights and the clownnose blink once I lock the doors, and they wanted $140 to do this. Is this the going rate?

Seems like a lot of dough for 10 minutes of work.

Also, shipo, I had asked about getting the OBC reflashed (to try and get better mpg) but they refused saying that they wouldn't do this unless there was something specifically wrong with the car (they were concerned that it could cause more problems than it would fix). My mpg is still mid-20s with mixed driving (haven't gone on an extended hwy trip for a while), so I may be better passing on the re-flash.

Okay, so ~ 28mpg for roadtrips, but what about mixed driving?I calculate mpg manually at most fill-ups, but the computer provides a "miles to empty" and this is usually at 380-390 miles when I fill up.

I have a 2002 330i with the premium and performance package with 46K miles. I bought the car about a year ago and it is still under warranty. I change my oil every 5K miles and I noticed right away that the car was going through a lot of oil in between oil changes. At least 1 quart every 1K miles. I called a BMW Service Manager to ask him if this is normal and he said it is within BMW guidelines for a car to burn 1 quart of oil every 750 miles although he said it is rare for that to happen on a 3 series. I also asked an independent dealer who is member of the Roundel and he said absolutely no way should a car with that many miles go through so much oil. The BMW dealers refuse to touch the car because of their guidelines. Any suggestions?

Dave, you definitely are not in Texas. I don't even plan for a trip to see my folks - 325 miles. 200 miles is a little trip around the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex. 500 miles is the minimum for a "long" trip.

"Dave, you definitely are not in Texas. I don't even plan for a trip to see my folks - 325 miles. 200 miles is a little trip around the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex. 500 miles is the minimum for a "long" trip."

I believe the original poster lives on the East coast hence 200 miles being long. I also think 200 miles is minimum HWY driving to get a decent read on your HWY mileage.

Just purchase an 04 325ci sports package from another soldier. Two questions I have about the car.

1. Can the alarm system program be programmed for the horn to sound also when the lights flash and clown nose blinks???

2. What replacement tires, 245/45 W 17" would any of you recommend, that are not extremely steep in price and provide good traction in wet as well. The Dunlop SP 2000 have marginal wet weather , excellent dry weather, and not all that great wear.

"1. Can the alarm system program be programmed for the horn to sound also when the lights flash and clown nose blinks???"

Should be the same as my old 330i, so yes.

"2. What replacement tires, 245/45 W 17" would any of you recommend, that are not extremely steep in price and provide good traction in wet as well. The Dunlop SP 2000 have marginal wet weather , excellent dry weather, and not all that great wear."

Kumhos are considered best bang for the buck. If you're planning on just replacing the rears, then you should get what the fronts have or replace all 4.

I'm about to purchase a 1994 316 ia but I have my doubts as it looks in great condition but I've heard of problems with the coolant system on older BMWs... Would greatly appreciate any advice or known problems with this model...

For the past three weeks, my car fails to start on the first crank of the day (note that the weather has been cooling recently). After two or three attempts (immediately after the first attempt), it starts with a shimmy. The problem does not reoccur for the rest of the day.

Yesterday, after my routine of failing to start and then shimmies in the garage, the automatic car stalled when switching from reverse to drive.

I will take it to a dealer when I have a chance, but the dealer is over 100 miles away.

1. Will waiting hurt the car or put me in danger?2. So that I am not taken advantage of, what are the most likely problems and solutions?

I am considering purchasing a 2005 BMW 3 series. What can anyone tell me about these cars. I have owned several Mercedes (E320) and am considering a BMW. I recently bought a r 2004 VW Convertible Beetle Turbo GLS with 6600 miles on it from my bosses friend. However,I am totally disappointed in the cart The gas mileage sucks. I am barely getting 16 miles per gallon. I have had a Fuel Consumption Test done by the dealer and they say the computer shows that there are no fault readings so basically, there is nothing they can do. Most of my driving is City driving but I only have a 6 mile roundtrip commute. I am getting ready to sell it as I am thorougly disgusted.

I understand BMW gives an incredible warranty on their cars and that they get pretty good gas mileage. I don't want a manual transmission however; does the car come with an automatic transmission and what kind of gas mileage do they get? Does anyone have any answers and give me all the pros and cons of owning a BMW.

The listed mpg for 05 3-Series (both 325i and 330i are the same) is 19 city / 27 highway.

All new BMWs come with 4yr/50k warranty and 4yr/50k free maintenance (all oil changes, scheduled interval maintenance, brakes & rotors, wiper blades, etc are all free). Any used BMW will get whatever is remaining on those.... If the vehicle is BMW Certified by the dealer, then it gets an extension of 2 years and 50k miles, which brings it to 6yr/100k..... (When the the 4 years is up, the 2 years kicks in OR when the first 50k is up, another 50k kicks in.)

If it is Certified and still in the Free Maintenance period, then you also have the opportunity to purchase the full maintenance upgrade to that same 6yr/100k for about $1000-$1100, which is a pretty good deal considering the most expensive maintenance will happen between 50k and 100k.

Not only will you get better gas mileage and great warranty & maintenance, but you'll really enjoy driving a 3-series.... Have you gotten a chance to drive one yet?

I also have a 2002 330i. Oil changes @ 7,500 miles with no oil burned between oil changes. Haven't heard of this (oil consumption) being a prevalent issue. May indicate a serious issue. 1qt of oil every 750 miles for a 330i being within "BMW Guidelines" is pure BS. Houston, we have a problem. Was the car CPO'd (hopefully)?

Performance Package on a 2002 330i? The Performance Package (i.e., w/235HP) was not offered until the 2003 model 330i IIRC. Do you mean Sports Package?

Lamps 2 and 3 are halogen bulbs and only serve as the high beam "flasher" function.

Lamps 1 and 4 are Bi-Xenon (from 2001 or 2002 on) and serve as your regular driving lights, whether low or high beam. Bi-Xenon lights have extremely long life under normal circumstances. One of the circumcumstances that will cause problems for Bi-Xenon's is a rapid cycling of the lights (low beam-high beam-low beam) hence the high beam halogens are there to serve this specific function.

Just a thought, I'm not sure if the alarm system is standard in 2004. The lights flashing (to signify the car is locked) and clown nose blinking can be done regardless of whether or not you have the factory alarm system installed (call it a "pseudo-alarm"). The "Horn" is a part of the alarm system, not the car horn. If the alarm option is not installed, no Horn.

As an aside, why in hell anyone would want those annoying and terribly effective horns sounding is beyond me personally.

I have a 2004 325i and an 8-mile roundtrip commute, and get 24 mpg when just driving around town like that. I will get a bit over 31 mpg on a long highway trip. Mine is a manual, so expect the automatic to get a mile or two less.

I don't think it's the Bug. I think it's the type of driving that you do - mostly city driving with a 6-mile roundtrip commute. In my opinion, that's the reason for your terrible gas mileage - 16mpg. Before the car even warms up, you've reached your destination and you're turning it off. Bad for the car. Bad for your gas mileage.

I encourage you to try a BMW 3-Series, but don't get one for the gas mileage. Given your own personal driving circumstances, I'd be surprised if you got much better than the 16mpg you are getting now in your Bug.

2006 325i non-SP, AT, no active steering.Steering wheel is turned to the left a few degrees when I drive my car straight. If I position steering wheel straight – the car bears a bit to the right. Mechanics at the dealership obviously said that they “did not notice it”.Anyone had similar problem? Is it even a problem? My tire pressure is 29 front 35 rear.mike